Here’s a basic recipe for a birthday cake that you can customize with your favorite frosting, decorations, and flavors:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans and placing them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes have cooled, frost and decorate as desired.
Tips:
- Be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. This will help ensure your cake turns out light and fluffy.
- To make the cake layers even, use a serrated knife to level the top of each layer before frosting.
- Experiment with different flavors and decorations to make your birthday cake extra special!
